Cinderelmo

Another lame attempt at a "politically correct" Cinderella story, but with Elmo in place of Brandy. It dosen't get much worst than this. If your looking for a GOOD fairy tale story, watch the "Happily Ever After" series, politically correct it may be but atleast their able to pull it off, and on a regular basis.

This is a great movie! It's full of good wholesome values that I am glad for my kids to see. For example, before giving Elmo magic clothes to wear to the ball, the Fairy Godperson tells Elmo that what matters is how a person behaves, who you are as a unique person, not what you wear. (Then he says, "But it's fun to dress up!" and poof, Elmo is wearing nice clothes.) The princess is kind and gracious. When Bert offers her his paper clip collection, she doesn't laugh, but instead she recognizes that it's one of his favorite possessions and she is honored that he would offer it to her. Oh my, and I LOVE that the genders are mostly switched around. It's a princess, not a prince; Cinderelmo is a boy not a girl; and the Fairy Godperson (in training) is a male -- and wonderful! This is a kids' movie not to miss!

Of course kids will love it; it's Elmo. But this clever and light-hearted retelling of Cinderella is winning enough for parents to enjoy, too. It has great songs and outstanding performances. Oliver Platt steals the show as the bumbling Fairy Godfather. Kathy Najimy, French Stewart, and Keri Russell all hold their own with the furry bunch. A definite winner.

This is our two-year-old daughter's current favorite video, so we've seen it way too many times. Still, it's so well done that it's hard to mind seeing it again.

My real question here: who is the "Blue Man"? (The fellow who interacts with Grover in the opening sequence, and at other times; he appears in many Sesame Street TV skits as well.) With all his lines, he ought to be in the credits -- but he's not. Indeed, I don't even know what his official name is.

As a parent who has a 20 month daughter who learned how to use the DVD player to watch Elmo, I have to disagree. She *loves* this - she dances to the music and yells out 'big bird', 'ernie and bert' whenever they come onscreen (sounds like a drinking game).

I can painfully say I've watched this over and over and over.

Heck, it sure beats Barney.